After some time back in the US, I’d be lying if I said one of the things I miss most from the UK wasn’t the food.
Jokes aside, being back in the states has genuinely felt different. While I figured my only trouble would be un-adapting to some things (I’d just gotten trained to look both ways with the UK’s street directions), I’ve more noticed my comfort zone isn’t as comfortable anymore now that I know how fulfilling it is to spend a whole month exploring outside it. I also miss having as many people to talk with as I’ve had abroad, which is something I’ll be excited to have back this semester at UA. Speaking of UA, it was incredible getting to try classes I’d normally be unsure whether I could fit into a semester. This trip has definitely inspired me to make more room in my schedule for trying new things and taking classes that fulfill me, even when they might not fulfill a requirement. I wouldn’t mind continuing what I learned in bookbinding when I have the time, too!
And yes, while I wasn’t fully kidding about the food, I don’t think it’s just the variety or the flavors that I miss. It was being surrounded by new and unfamiliar options and having the chance to explore them with friends. At school, I’d been caught in a bit of a repetitive loop between dining halls and meal swipe locations, and I didn’t eat with others as often as I could have. After trying so many new places in Oxford, often with company, I think that’s something else I want to make a change in in my student life.
My last piece of advice for people thinking of studying abroad would be to make sure you take the experience with you. If you find yourself missing elements of your life outside your comfort zone, try to incorporate those changes into your next semester, or if you can’t, maybe the semester after. There’s so much you can learn outside what you’ll learn in your classes, and so much to take away from your time abroad on top of the memories and souvenirs (though those are just as important).
I suppose that might be advice best suited for people whose time abroad is ending, so I’d also like to say: it can be difficult to find a balance between not taking your time abroad for granted and not being in a rush to get to everything, and everyone has their own blend. Your experience, even if also in Oxford, will undoubtedly be unique from mine in a myriad of ways! But there is no step of the journey you’ll be taking alone, and you will find your footing sooner than you might think, whatever your personal balance might be.
To everyone who’s been reading these, I hope my words have helped you in some way. I cannot recommend Study Abroad enough, and I can only hope I’ll be so lucky as to visit the UK again!
Until then, have a great day and a great semester ahead!